Method of and apparatus for dieforming parts



June 20, 1939. GALY N 2,162,731

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR DIE-FORMING PARTS I Original Filed March 50, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 $5 s I l g; I

- ZWEF @eovye alder-jaguar" June 20, 1939. k G. A. LYON 3 METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR DIE-FORMING PARTS Origihal Filed March 50, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented June' 20, 1939 UNITED STATES METHOD OF AND APPARATU S FOR DIE- FORMING PARTS George Albert Lyon, Allenhurst, N. J.

Application March so, 1935, Serial No. 13,814 Renewed August 10, 1938 7 Claims.

considerably less than the maximum diameter of the circumferential edge portion of the crown part. Such a grooving or channelling was provided inmost cases for the ornamental appearance or in some cases for purposes of utility, such as furnishing room for the insertion of a lever to pry oil a hub cap. Heretofore, it has been the custom of spinning such a formation in light 20 metal parts, and this spinning operation is objectionably difficult and expensive. The parts themselves, such as a hub cap or an ornamental wheel disc embodying a hub cap, were initially stamped out or blanked with suitable die-mechanism. The spinning operation was an extraneous one and a highly expensive one.

The present invention contemplates a method of forming an undercut indentation or recess in an ornamental wheel disc, hub cap, or similar element, wherein the spinning operation is eliminated.

Another object of this invention is the provision of apparatus including cooperative die members capable in a single movement of forming an undercut indentation in the skirt of a cup-shaped member. I

' A further object of this invention is to provide means for die-forming a crown portion of a disclike element and providing an undercut indenta- 40 tion in the side wall of the crown portion.

Also an object of this invention is the provision of apparatus for die-forming a crown portion of a disc-like part in such a manner as to clinch the side wall of the crown portion about a member of less size than the crown portion disposed therein.

' Still another object of this invention is the pro-'- vision of die-forming apparatus wherein a metallic part having a skirt is capable of being forced against the sloping wall to cause said skirt -to be deflected inwardly to form an indentation of less diameter than the rest of the part, the apparatus including means to limit the inward movement of the skirt to form an even indentation of proper configuration.

A still further object of the invention is to provide apparatus capable of die-forming the skirt of a hub cap part into a curvature substantiallygoose-neck in cross-section and which has a diameter at the'bottom of the curvature less than the maximum diameter of the hub cap part.

Also in accordance with the objects of this invention I provide a method for making wheel discs which includes the compression ofa crown portion of a wheel disc into engagement with 10 securing means of less size than said portion for holding the wheel disc over the central hub of a vehicle wheel.

In accordance with the general features of this invention, there is provided a method of dieforming a hub cap, a wheel discincluding an integral raised crown portion to simulate a hub cap, or 'a similar part, by compressing the hub' cap or crown portion of the disc, preventing an outward movement of the skirt of this portion, and deflecting the skirt portion inwardly, suitable v meansbeing preferably provided to limit the inward deflection so that a goose-neck curvature of proper size and configuration will be provided in the skirt. I

Other objects and'features of this invention will more fully appear from the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate relatively diagrammatically apparatus embodying principles of the invention and capable of performing the method included in the invention,v and in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary relatively diagrammatical central verticalsectional view of apparatus embodying principles of the present invention, showing the same in an initial. stage of operation.

.Figure 2 is a fragmentary view of the right hand portion of Figure 1, showing the apparatus in a more advanced stage of operation.

Figure 3 is a view similar in character to Figures 1 and 2, showing a slightly different form of apparatus. f

For purposes of illustration, the structure selected to be die-formed by the method and apparatus embodied in this invention is in the form of an ornamental wheel disc generally indicated by reference numeral I. Such a wheel disc is suitable for disposition over the side surface of a vehicle wheel and covers a goodly portion. or all of the side surface of the wheel within the tire holding rim. The disc I illustrated is preferably of relatively light sheet metal and includes as an integral formation a central raised'crown portion 2 which, in the finished product, may. simulate a hub cap.

The disc I is initially blanked by any suitable mechanism in the contour seen in Figure 1. In this form, the disc includes the central raised crown portion 2, the outer face or top of which is preferably arced in dome shape. This crown or hub cap portion I is of sufficient size to overlie the hollow hub of the vehicle wheel. The crown portion 2, of course, has 'a skirt or side Wall 3 which terminates in asomewhat arcuate portion 4 which overlies that part of a wheel between the hub and the rim. The outer circumferential margin of the portion 4 is channelled as at 5 for the reception of the anchoring part of a decorative bead, cushioning element or other rim contacting part. Of course, the arcuate portion 4 ;;and the channel 5 may be of any other desired configuration, these parts not being changed in any material degree by the operation of the present invention.

The apparatus for forming the disc I as illustrated diagrammatically in the drawings comprises in general a die block generally indicated by numeral 6, and a punch die generally indicated by numeral 1. By any suitable means, not shown, the die block is preferably held in fixed position, and the punch die I is movable relatively thereto. These respective parts may be associated with any suitable die-actuating mechanism, such as a punch press, in a well-known manner.

The die block 6 comprises a base portion 8 having an upstanding annular part 9 with the top face thereof arced, as at I0, so as to intimately receive thereagainst the inner face of the portion 4 of the disc. The upstanding part 9 also defines a-center bore II in which is slidably disposed a die part I2. A suitable spring I3 seated in recesses I4 and I5 in the base 8 and die part I2, respectively, urges the die part I2 outwardly from the base to the limit defined by the inner wall of a recess I6 in the die part into which the end of a pin I'I projects. The pin is secured in any desirable manner in the annular part 9 of the die block.

The die part I2, while ofa suitable diameter to properly fit within the bore II, is provided with a reduced upwardly projecting portion I8, the top of which is arced as at I9 in dome-shape to intimately receive the inner face of the likewise arced crown portion'2 of the disc.

The punch die- I includes a base member. 20 having an integral projecting portion 2I arced as at 22 to intimately seat over the crown portion 2 of the disc. The base member is also provided with an integral annular depending flange 23 defining an annular recess 24 between itself and the central die part 2|. In this recess an annular die holding element 25 is slidably mounted and held in position by the engagement of a an outwardly inclined inner wall 30 substantialplurality of pins 26 in a like number of recesses 21. The pins 26 are mounted in the flange 23 and the recesses 21 occur at like intervals in the holding die part 25. A plurality of springs 28, suitably seated in recesses in the base 20 and die part 25, normally urge this die part outwardly beyond the central die part 2I. The die part 25 is provided with an arcuate undersurface, as indicated at 29,,so as to seat intimately over the upper face of the portion 4 of the disc.

An important feature of the present invention is the fact that the die part 25 is provided with ly of the length of the skirt 3 of the disc I. This wall 30, while outwardly inclined with respect to the axis of the punch die, is preferably not straight but curved so as to be slightly convex, as seen in the drawings. When the disc, as above described, is placed between the die block and punch die, the skirt 3 is outwardly inclined and formed so that the wall 30 preferably intimately fits against the skirt.

In the present instance, with reference to Figures 1 and 2, the disc member I is to be clinched in the skirt 3 about a holding member 3|, by means-of which the disc may be held upon a vehicle wheel. This holding member 3I is annular or ring-like in form and shaped in any suitable manner to engage over the hollow hub of a vehicle wheel or retaining means carried by the wheel. The holding or attaching member 3I is also provided with an inwardly arced outer surface which merges at its upper end into a rela tively sharp curve 32 in turn merging into an arcuate upper flange 33 which intimately rests against the inner face of the dome top of the crown 2. The holding element 3I is of such a size as to fit over the portion I8 of the die part I2 and fit within the crown portion 2 of the disc.

In forming the disc into the desired shape and clinching the same around the holding member 3I, this element 3| is first placed into position on the part I2 of the die block. Then, the disc I is seated upon the upper face of the die block. The punch die is then lowered or moved relatively to the die block, the annular part 25 first contacting the disc. This annular part 25 overlies the portion 4 of the disc, and the punch die must be further moved against the action of the springs 28 before the die part 2i contacts the crown 2 of the disc. sition seen in Figure 1.

The relative parts are now in the po- It will be noted that the annular die part 25,

held in position by the springs 28, securely holds the portion 4 of the disc, and the convex and inclined wall 30 of this die part intimately surrounds the skirt 3 of the disc.

Obviously, therefore,v upon a further movement of the punch die I, the crown portion 2 of the disc must be compressed, and in View of the position of the holding member 3I together with its upper flange 33 and the die part I2 of the die block, the dome top of the crown portion will not be changed in contour. The compression of the crown-part must obviously result in a distortion of the skirt 3. In view of the wall 30 of the die part 25 this skirt cannot be distorted outwardly but must deflect inwardly into intimate engagement around the holding member 3I.

The additional movement of the punch die 'I to inwardly bend the skirt 3 is taken up or compensated for by a giving of the springs I3 and 28 without any lessening in the rigid holding of the dome top of the crown portion 2 and the annular portion 4 of the disc I. As the punch die 1 moves downwardly, as the same is seen in the drawings, the die part 2I causes a forcing of the metal of the crown portion of the disc against the convex inclined wall 30 at the point 34 immediately opposite the bend 32 in the holding member 3I. Due to the above formation of the top of the crown portion 2, the metal is forced against the sloping wall 30 at an angle and such forcing of the metal results in a tendency for the metal to roll inwardly around the bend 32 in the holding member 3I. The inward movement of the metal of the skirt 3 is limited by the holding member, and since no flow of metal is permitted from the annular portion 4 of the disc, the skirt is formed I an annular undercut recess or indentation 35 (Figure 2) in the skirt.

In Figure 3, I have shown how the disc I may beformed in the event it is not desired to clinch the same over a holding member. In some instances, it will be desirable to formulate the crown portion of the disc to simulate a'hub cap and provide other means, perhaps uponthe rear face of the portion 4 of the disc, for holding the same'on a vehicle wheel. With reference now to Figure 3, it will be seen that the disc member I and punch die I are identically the same in construction as previously described herein. The die block is also the same in construction with the exception that the die part I2 is not provided with a reduced projecting part l8, but is of the same diameter throughout and anarcuate upper surface I9 is formed on this member to seat intimately against the under face of the crown 2 of the disc in like manner to the previously described portion l8 but over a greater area. Upon relative movement between the die block and punch die, a gooseneck curvature will be formed in the skirt 3 of the disc, the outer wall of the die part I 2 limiting the inward distortion of the skirt. However, with the convex inclined wall 30 preventing outward movement and guiding the forming of the skirt, the proper curvature willresult with the annular undercut recess or indentation 35 provided, caus ing the crown portion of the disc to simulate the appearance of a hub cap.

Complete details of the method embodied in my invention are believed sufliciently apparent from the foregoing as not to warrant further specific description herein.

It will be apparent that I have provided a new method of and apparatus for die-forming a me-- tallic part, such as a hub cap, ornamental wheel disc or similar part, to provide an undercut formation in the part without the necessity of resort to an expensive spinning operation. The structure mentioned may be very simply and eflectively provided in a single operation of die mechanism in a very expedient and economical manner. a

I am aware that many changes may be made and numerous details of construction maybe varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention, and I, therefore, do not purpose limiting the patent granted hereon otherwise than is necessitated by the prior art.

I claim as'my invention:

1. The method of joining a crown-shaped part having a skirt to a circular member, including holding the circular member rigidly within the crown part, compressing the crown part while preventing outward deflection of the skirt thereof by a sloping wall, and holding the top of the crown part rigid to force the skirt inwardly into intimate clinching engagement with said member.

2. In apparatus for shaping a disc-like part having crown and ring portions and a wall portion connecting said crown and ring portions, cooperative die parts including a member for engaging the crown of said parts, an annular member concentric with said crown engaging member and mounted for relative axial movement with respect thereto for engagement with the ring portion of said parts, said annular member having a sloping wall corresponding in shape to the wall portion of said part and arranged to initially contact the same, and a base member for engaging the opposite side of the ring portion from said annular member, said crown engaging memher and said base member being movable toward engagement with said other part comprising a member for engaging the crown of said part, an annular member concentric with said crown engaging member and mounted for relative axial movement with respect thereto for engaging the ring portion .of said disc-like part, said annular member having a wall for restraining outward collapse of the wallportion of said disc-like part, and a base'member for engaging the opposite side of the ring portion of said disc-like part from said annular member, said crown engaging member and said base member being movable toward each other thereby to compress said crown portion in an axial direction with respect to said ring portion, whereby an annular indentation is formed in said sidewall of said disc-like part extending into locking engagement with said other part.

4. In apparatus for uniting an outwardly inclined skirt of a disc-like part with an inwardly ward deflection thereof, a base member for engaging the opposite side of the ring portion of said disc-like part from said annular member, said crown engaging member and said base member being movable toward each other, and a member nested within said base member and mounted for relative movement with respect thereto for supporting and holding said inwardly inclined part of less diameter within said crown portion when said crown engaging member is being compressed with respect to said base member.

5. Apparatus for shaping the skirt of a crown-- like portion having a part extending laterally beyond said portion and in which the head of said crown-like portion has a shape other than flat, including ,a die member for supporting said part outside said crown-like portion, a; second die member shaped for intimate contact over the head of said crown-like portion and mounted for relative movement with respect to said first die member, and an annulardie member concentric with and nested around said second die' member and mounted for relative movement with respect thereto for engaging the opposite face of said part outside said crown-like portionfrom that which is engaged by said first die member, said annular member having an inner surface and arranged to initially contact the same,,' whereby when said first and second die members; are axially compressed with respect to each other an inwardly' extending annular indentation is formed in said skirt.

' conforming, with the initial shape of said skirt 6. In apparatus for shaping a disc-like part having crown and ring portions and a wall portion connecting said crown and ring portions,

a cooperative die part including a member for engaging the crown of said part, an annular member concentric with said crown engaging member and mounted for relative movement with 3 respect thereto for engaging the ring portion of said part, said annular member having a sloping wall corresponding in shape to the wall portion of said part and arranged to initially contact the same, a base member for engaging the op- 10 posite side of the ring portion from said annular member, said crown engaging member and said base member being movable toward each other, and a' member disposed beneath said crown portion for limiting the extent of inward collapse 15 of said wall portion upon compressive movement of said crown engaging member with re- 1 spect to said base member.

'7. In apparatus for shaping a disc-like part having crown and ring portions and an intergo mediate generally axially extending wall portion connecting said crown and ring portions, cooperative die parts including a member for engaging the crown of said disc-like part, an annular member nested around said crown engaging member and mounted for relative movement with respect thereto for engaging the ring portion of said part, said annular member having a wall for restraining outward collapse of said wall portion, a base member for engaging the opposite side of the ring portion of said disclike part from said annular member, said crown engaging member and said base member being movable toward each other upon the application of a compressive force thereto, whereby said side 

